Hiba Al Kawas International is a non-profit organisation that searches for talented singers from the Arab world in order to train them in Arabic opera. Through the organisation a major opera production will be created in an effort to revive Arabic opera. At March Meeting Al Kawas explained the nature of Arab opera, what influences it and how it works.

Presentation Proposal

Since the early 1990s Hiba Kawas has been working to realise her dream of creating an Arab Opera, moulding the Arabic letter so that it becomes technically possible to sing. Through the course of her career she has developed and adapted operatic vocal technique to find the proper voice placement to preserve both Arabic pronunciation and singing traditions. She has composed and performed a few pieces since then, but she believes there is a need to pass on her knowledge while training others. To achieve this goal, Kawas founded Hiba Kawas International (HKI) as a non-profit organisation specialised in the training of young voices for Arab Opera and directing opera in Arabic.

Speaker

Hiba Kawas (b. 1972, Saïda, Lebanon) is a composer, operatic soprano and academic. She holds a Master's Degree in opera singing with high distinction from the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory, a Master’s Degree in composition and studies in musicology under the supervision of Walid Gholmieh, as well as a Diploma in piano. Awarded a scholarship from the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Italy, she pursued advanced studies in opera singing with Carlo Bergonzi and composition with Franco Donatoni. Since that time Kawas’ career has included composing for symphony orchestra, operatic performances around the world and numerous recordings and appearances with notable international singers such as José Carreras.

December 2011

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